Never haze the Chancellor's son
Possible hazing incident injures SUNY chief's son
By Matthew Daneman
Democrat and Chronicle
(May 1, 2002) — The Brockport Police Department and State University College at Brockport police are investigating the injuries that sent two SUNY Brockport students to the hospital -- one of them the freshman son of SUNY Chancellor Robert King.
Both students were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital on Sunday with infected leg wounds. The two freshmen, Nello DiGiandomenico and James L. King, remained hospitalized Wedneday -- DiGiandomenico in guarded condition and King improving to satisfactory condition.
Police in Brockport were trying to determine if the students were victims of illegal initiation activities at the school.
King was "not even real clear on how he sustained the injury, and that's where the allegations of hazing come in," said university spokeswoman Shannon Doolin. "When you have a group like that with similar injuries, we're immediately a little suspicious."
It remained unclear when the injuries occurred. The students' ages were not immediately disclosed.
According to a statement by SUNY Brockport Vice President for Student Affairs Marion Schrank, hazing is being looked at as a possible factor in the injuries.
The chancellor traveled to his son's bedside in Rochester and said "I am very grateful he is expected to recuperate."
Hazing, or forcing fellow students to do ridiculous, humiliating or painful things, is illegal in New York state. The university urged students to alert authorities if they think any other students were placed at risk.
"I am confident (SUNY Brockport) President Paul Yu and the Brockport staff will take appropriate action following the completion of their investigation," the chancellor said in a statement.
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